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Year 10

Deliberate discussion - Should all citizens take part in the legal system?

I can consider the arguments for and against citizens taking part in the legal system.

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New
New
Year 10

Deliberate discussion - Should all citizens take part in the legal system?

I can consider the arguments for and against citizens taking part in the legal system.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Citizen involvement in law can boost fairness, relatability and democracy.
  2. Juries and magistrates can bring real-life views to legal decisions.
  3. Special constables can help build trust within their communities, reducing crime and keeping people safe.
  4. Legal complexity might sometimes confuse juries and untrained magistrates.
  5. Citizens can push for law reform but may face hurdles, like with the proposed pro-legalisation of cannabis.

Keywords

  • Rationale - the reason or explanation for why something is done or believed

  • Analyse - the process of examining something in detail, breaking it down into its parts to understand it better

  • Volunteer - choosing to give time to help others, usually without being paid

  • Justice - fairness as a result of the application of a law, usually by a judge, in society

Common misconception

Ordinary citizens don't really have any power or impact in the legal system.

Citizens can play key roles, like serving as jurors, becoming magistrates or special constables, and even push for legal reforms, as shown by trade unions helping pass the Minimum Wage Act.


To help you plan your year 10 citizenship lesson on: Deliberate discussion - Should all citizens take part in the legal system?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Create a table of pros and cons of citizen involvement to help visual learners structure their understanding.
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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the success factors for when citizens have successfully changed the law with their correct descriptions.
Correct Answer:large public support,many people backing the change

many people backing the change

Correct Answer:positive media coverage,journalists and news outlets sharing the message positively

journalists and news outlets sharing the message positively

Correct Answer:political support,MPs and parties willing to act on the issue

MPs and parties willing to act on the issue

Correct Answer:focused goal,clear and achievable outcome

clear and achievable outcome

Correct Answer:strong evidence,data, experts or real-life stories used in the campaign

data, experts or real-life stories used in the campaign

Q2.
Which of the following was a key reason the campaign to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18 in the UK was successful?
limited public interest
mixed media coverage
Correct answer: strong public and political support
opposition from experts
Q3.
What role does perseverance play in a successful law change campaign?
it can make up for a lack of evidence
Correct answer: it ensures that the campaign stays in the public eye over time
it is only needed if political support is missing
it is not as important as media coverage
Q4.
Which class B drug, that has been legalised either recreationally or for medical use in other countries, do some campaigners wish to see legalised in the UK?
Correct Answer: cannabis, weed
Q5.
Which answer best describes this statement: Citizens can play a part in the legal system.
Correct answer: True. Citizens can play a part in the legal system.
Partially true. Citizens can play a part, but must be over 21.
Partially true. Citizens can play a part, if they have a law degree.
False. Citizens cannot play a part in the legal system.
Q6.
Order the words to complete the definition for the word 'influence'. The power to affect or ...
1 - change
2 - someone's
3 - thoughts
4 - actions
5 - or
6 - decisions

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a potential disadvantage of involving juries in legal cases?
they always side with the prosecution
they lack real-life experience
Correct answer: they may not understand complex legal issues
they are paid too much
Q2.
Why might special constables face challenges in serious situations?
they are too young
Correct answer: they lack experience
they have too much power
they are not allowed in court
Q3.
What is one advantage of having magistrates in the legal system?
they are always lawyers
Correct answer: they bring real-life experience
they are appointed by the Prime Minister
they have military training
Q4.
Which is not a ground rule in a deliberate discussion?
listen to others
Correct answer: speak the loudest
respect privacy
no judgement
Q5.
What should pupils be able to choose their level of during a deliberate discussion?
Correct Answer: participation, involvement
Q6.
Put the stages of crafting a response in a deliberate discussion into the correct order.
1 - rationale
2 - examples
3 - analysis
4 - link